Merseyside Police target knife crime in region-wide crackdown

Serious violent crime has fallen by 9% since the scheme was launched

A police force has vowed to "relentlessly" target knife carriers after officers were granted new stop-and-search powers.

Merseyside Police has been carrying out a targeted stop-and-search campaign since April.

The force has been making use of serious violence reduction orders (SVROs) in the battle against knife crime.

More than 40 orders have so far been granted.

The orders, which need to be authorised by a court, mean that if someone is convicted of using or possessing a knife, police can then stop and search them at any time in a public place.

Since the pilot scheme was launched in April, knife crime has fallen by 11% and serious violent crime by 9% in the region.

Supt Phil Mullally said officers would "relentlessly target" those subject to an SVRO.

Merseyside Police said they had seen an 11% reduction in knife crime

"The launch of SVROs in April has given us another tool to target high-risk offenders who have been convicted of an offence involving a bladed article or knife," he said.

"Six months in, SVROs are being used to keep the pressure on those who persist in unlawfully carrying knives in Merseyside and prevent further violence.

"Early evidence suggests that the orders are acting as a deterrent to carrying a knife, given that we have the automatic right to search them when in a public place."

Alan Walsh, who founded Real Men Don't Carry Knives, almost died after being stabbed multiple times

Knife crime campaigner Alan Walsh, who runs Anfield and North Liverpool Boxing Club, welcomed the move.

He said: "I think it's a real positive step forward.

"I think we should spread it out more and use it right across the board, so not just targeting people who have already been convicted for carrying knives."

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